What Every New Motorcyclist Needs To Know Before Their First Ride
There is no feeling quite like getting a new bike and going on your first ride. Whether you are a new or seasoned rider there are a few things you need to know and do before you start out on the road for your first ride. But if you are a new motorcycle owner, and preparing for your very first ride ever, there is a lot of information to take in before you can get started enjoying your ride. So, we have put together an easy checklist with all the information you will need to make your first and every trip after fun and safe!
Take A Motorcycle Safety Class And Get Licensed
Remember when you were a teenager and you had to study to get your drivers license and prepare before you could drive your first car? Well the same thing applies when you become a new motorcycle owner. Don’t assume you’re going to just buy a new motorcycle and figure it out as you go – that is stupid and dangerous. The point of owning a motorcycle is to have fun and enjoy the ride, not to get yourself killed. So, before you can even get started on the process of buying your new motorcycle, you should definitely take a class to teach you what you need to know about riding a motorcycle first. A motorcycle safety course will leave you competent in at least the basics that you need to know on how to safely ride and control your motorcycle. Taking the motorcycle safety course will also make the process of getting your motorcycle license easier as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will only require you to take the written portion of the exam and not the driving portion of the exam.
Get Insurance And Register Your New Bike
When it comes to riding a motorcycle, you want to make sure you do everything you can to keep yourself and your new bike protected – and that includes making sure you have the right type and amount of insurance coverage. When choosing motorcycle insurance coverage, you should consider the right amount of liability coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, guest passenger liability coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You will also need to register your new motorcycle with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and get motorcycle license plates.
Perform A Thorough Bike Inspection And Regular Maintenance Checks
One of the most important things you can do before you take your first ride on your new motorcycle is to make sure your complete a thorough inspection of the bike beforehand and continue to keep up with regular maintenance checks on your bike. You can have the initial inspection done for you at an accredited motorcycle dealership or by a motorcycle repair professional, but if you prefer to complete the inspection yourself, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has put together an inspection checklist known as T-CLOCS that you can use as a guide. T-CLOCS stands for tires and wheels, controls, lights and electrical, oil and fluids, chassis, and stands. You can get the full T-CLOCS Inspection Checklist online through a simple google search, and it will break down each part of the inspection you should complete before you ride.
Get Comfortable Using Hand Signals
Even if your new motorcycle has signals built in, it may still be difficult for drivers to see the signals when you are using them. In addition to using electrical signals you have built in to the bike, you should know and be comfortable using hand signals while you are riding. Hand signals are much easier for drivers to see, and as you make movement it will also make it easier for drivers to recognize that you are on the road!
If you are a newly licensed motorcyclist or even if you are an experienced rider, contact us today to speak with a licensed insurance agent who can review your current motorcycle insurance coverage and make sure you have all risks adequately covered!
